Seymour Papert #cs4teachersunit1 Skyler Metviner

Seymour Papert was a great contributor to the use of technology in the classroom and the way schools are run today. As one of Piaget’s protégés, Papert was a major catalyst for the studying and production of artificial intelligence as well as the constructionist movement, which was based off of Piaget’s learning theories (Interviews with Seymour Papert 2004). To bring technology into the classroom, and to teach children through a different medium, Papert created the Logo Turtle. The Logo Turtle is a type of robot, which is low to the ground and could draw designs based on its mechanical engineering system, that helps children solve problems while working in a playful environment.

Seymour Papert’s legacy has lasted and is still relevant to today’s educational use of technology. According to the Stamford Graduate School of Education, “If a historian were to draw a line connecting Jean Piaget’s work on developmental psychology to today’s trends in educational technology, the line would simply be labeled ‘Papert’” (TLTL Stamford). What this says is that while Piaget’s work is taught and studied in schools, it is Papert’s ideologies and creations that have changed the way schools teach and use computer science. This is apparent since “Seymour Papert has been at the center of three revolutions: child development, artificial intelligence and computational technologies for education” (TLTL Stamford).

Seymour Papert says that technology, computers, provide teachers with a way to change the way we teach and create opportunities for them to be able to teach more, by using this technology. What resonates with me is the argument that some people have that the computers are actually just replacing the old methods. This idea grabbed my attention because, as someone who prefers pen and paper instead of a keyboard, I would probably argue that as well. However, since I have grown up in this era of technology, I am aware of the opportunities that computers offer schools that wasn’t possible when using the original methods of teaching. Computers allow students to practice a language with a CGI, access hundreds of articles of information, take virtual trips to a foreign country, etc. Seymour Papert stated, “I believe that the computer as a writing instrument offers children an opportunity to become more like adults, indeed like advanced professionals, in their relationship to their intellectual products and to themselves” (Mindstorms 31).One idea that I would definitely implement into my classroom is Papert’s Exemplary Project 2: Using Radio to Develop the Skills Underlying Writing. This teaching strategy involves allowing students who struggle with writing and expressing their ideas through written expression a medium for sharing their thoughts.Papert explains that, by using a computer software, students can speak to the computer which would then turn the speech into typed words which a student can add to and even edit. This option gives students, especially those with Other Health Impairments, a way to still participate in the class’ assignments without having to take double the time to try and write their ideas, which could cause them to fall behind in the class work. Since it isn’t the writing that is key, but the ideas the writing expresses, shows that “examing the process at this level demonstrates that the writing is not the essential element and that other media could suffice just as well” (Climbing to Understanding 118).Papert even included how this technology gave one individual the confidence to work on improving their writing. This confidence was create because the student was able to see their ideas expressed in a written form and it made them want to be able to write so they can share their thoughts even when the computer isn’t in front of them.

Your response to Papert's work is very thorough and thoughtful.
I was very struck by this:

One idea that I would definitely implement into my classroom is Papert’s Exemplary Project 2: Using Radio to Develop the Skills Underlying Writing. This teaching strategy involves allowing students who struggle with writing and expressing their ideas through written expression a medium for sharing their thoughts. Papert explains that, by using a computer software, students can speak to the computer which would then turn the speech into typed words which a student can add to and even edit. This option gives students, especially those with Other Health Impairments, a way to still participate in the class’ assignments without having to take double the time to try and write their ideas, which could cause them to fall behind in the class work.

When I taught middle school students, I had them create podcasts for the very reasons your state, but had not considered converting the speech back into text for them to edit. Thanks for the suggestion.